Herbalist finds right blend to mark five years

One businesswoman has been at the forefront of this trend with her Southsea shop for the past five years and says she is looking forward to the next five years in business.

Wendy Budd opened Budd’s Medical Herbalist and Apothecary in Albert Road five years ago today.

The 38-year-old mumpreneur started the business from inheritance left by her mother Linda Kail, who died in 2012.

She said: ‘I was a herbalist practising for somebody else and I saw the shop was up for sale. I thought that I had to do it. It was an opportunity not to be missed.

‘I had never run my own business but I jumped in and did it. There have been some bumps and some hairy moments along the way but it is unbelievable that we are here today – five years on.’

The shop, which used to sell baby and nursery accessories, needed some serious work to turn it into the apothecary it is today.

Wendy, from Southsea, said: ‘There was quite a lot of work to get it up to standard. I remember being here night after night sanding until midnight.’

Wendy, who qualified with a degree in herbal medicine from Preston University in 2006, is now a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.

She works at the shop with Coral Stimson, a homeopath, and together they offer a range of aromatherapy, Chinese medicine, herbal treatments and homeopathic remedies,

Wendy said: ‘I will never leave this shop. I just love it so much. We see so many diverse patients and the recommendations that we get is amazing. I want to thank everyone for their support over the years.’

There will be a celebration at the shop to mark its fifth anniversary tonight from 5pm until 8pm with refreshments and nibbles, plus discounts and goodie bags.